Kauai auditor sues county, alleging retaliation

Kauai County Auditor Ernesto Pasion has filed a civil suit against the county alleging retaliation, the Garden Island newspaper reported today.

Details of the complaint are not yet public and a copy of the suit wasn't available Monday. The complaint against the County of Kauai, County Council Chair Jay Furfaro and others as defendants, was filed in Circuit Court Monday on Kauai.

County Communications Director Beth Tokioka said the county could not comment on pending litigation

Pasion said the lawsuit is related to a council decision.

"I believe that I have been subjected to illegal retaliation as set out in my court complaint," Pasion told the newspaper. "I believe this is crucially important to the people of Kauai.

"The Kauai County Auditor should be independent, and able to do his or her job as required by the County Charter, without fear of any adverse consequences as a result," he added.

The county was served with the complaint on Nov. 27, Pasion said, adding he is directing any questions to his attorney Mark Bennett, or his associate attorney, Brandi Balanda.

The County Auditor's office was created by a voter amendment to the County Charter in 2008. Pasion, of Kalaheo, had served as a county clerk for 14 years when he was elected unanimously by the County Council to serve as auditor in 2009 -- with his term ending Sept. 15, 2015.

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loquaciousonewrote:

No wonder Kauai didn't want any more invasive species coming there. They already have too many already.